Fried Falafel Not Deep Fried Recipes

HOW TO MAKE PERFECTLY CRISPY FALAFEL

Steps:

• Rinse the dried chickpeas then place into a large bowl and cover with cool water by about 4 inches. Cover and soak overnight or until the beans triple in size. Drain the soaked chickpeas, rinse, and then pat dry or add to a salad spinner to spin dry.
• Add chickpeas, scallions, garlic, herbs, salt, cumin, coriander, cardamom, cayenne, black pepper, and the baking powder to a bowl of a food processor. Pulse the mixture until very finely minced, but not pureed, scraping the bowl down as necessary. You should be able to press a handful together and have it hold it's shape (it will be loose and a little crumbly). See our video and photos above for reference.
• Transfer the falafel mix to a bowl and cover. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to help the balls hold together when cooking. If making ahead, you can refrigerate the mixture for a few days.
• Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to scoop out 1 1/2 tablespoons of the falafel mix then gently shape it into a ball and place onto a clean plate. Repeat with as many falafel as you plan to cook. The mix will not act like dough, but will hold its shape. Watch the video to see how we do this. Optional step: As an extra fail-safe for preventing the balls from falling apart when they hit the oil, rest the falafel balls in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes before cooking.
• Add at least 3/4 inch of oil to a deep saucepan, cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. The smaller the pan, the less oil you will need. The wider the pan, the more falafel you can cook at one time).
• Turn the heat to medium-high and heat the oil to between 350 degrees and 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fry the falafel in batches, placing them gently into the oil and without crowding in the pan, until they are browned on the bottom sides. Using two forks, carefully flip the falafel to brown the other side, 3 1/2 minutes to 4 minutes total.
• Transfer the cooked falafel to a plate lined with paper towel, sprinkle with a little salt, and then repeat with the remaining falafel balls. Serve immediately.

FALAFEL

Steps:

• Put beans in a large bowl and cover with water by 3 to 4 inches - they will triple in volume as they soak. Soak for 24 hours, checking once or twice to see if you need to add water to keep the beans covered.
• Drain beans well and transfer to a food processor with all the remaining ingredients except the oil; pulse until minced but not puréed; add water tablespoon by tablespoon if necessary to allow the machine to do its work, but keep the mixture as dry as possible. (Too much water and your falafel will fall apart. If that happens, add more ground beans.) Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, cayenne or a little more lemon juice as needed.
• Put at least 2 to 3 inches of oil (more is better) in a large deep saucepan (the narrower the pan, the less oil you need; but the more oil you use, the more you can cook at one time). Turn heat to medium high and heat oil to about 350 (a pinch of batter will sizzle immediately; a piece of falafel will sink halfway to the bottom, then rise).
• Scoop out heaping tablespoons of the mixture and shape it into balls or small patties. Fry in batches, without crowding, until nicely browned, turning as necessary; total cooking time per batch will be less than 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.

FRIED FALAFEL (NOT DEEP-FRIED)

Steps:

• Place ingredients in a blender. Stop to scrape sides. It may take a few times. Continue until a coarse mixture forms, add more bread crumbs if needed (the mixture will be moist). Form into 4 patties. Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook until golden and beginning to crisp, 4-5 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until golden brown, 2-4 minutes more.

AIR FRIED FALAFEL

Steps:

• Dry chickpeas on paper towels. Place onions and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add parsley, scallions, cilantro, cumin, salt, and red pepper flakes. Process until blended, 30 to 60 seconds, then add the chickpeas and pulse 2 to 3 times until just blended, but not pureed. Sprinkle in flour and baking powder, scrape the sides of the bowl down with a spatula, and pulse 2 to 3 times.
• Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate, covered, 2 to 3 hours.
• Form the falafel mixture into 12 balls; if mixture is too sticky add some flour to your hands and your work surface.
• Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions. Spray falafel with cooking spray.
• Cook in the preheated air fryer until golden brown, about 14 minutes, turning halfway through.

CRISPY PAN SEARED FALAFEL

Steps:

• Combine half the chickpeas, the onion, lemon juice, 4 teaspoons water, zucchini, cayenne, cumin, coriander, baking soda, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Add remaining chickpeas to processor, and pulse just until lumpy (should still have some texture), six to eight pulses. Stir into chickpea mixture. Stir in the herbs.
• Use your hands to pat the mixture into twelve 2-inch patties, each weighing about 1 1/2 ounces. Place each on a waxed-paper-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap, and transfer to refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Place skillet over medium heat, and cook 3 to 4 patties at a time, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Transfer cooked patties to a heatproof plate to keep warm in a 200-degree oven, if necessary.
• To serve, toast pitas, and split them open. Arrange lettuce, tomato, and red-onion slices on each. Place two of the cooked patties on each pita. Sprinkle each with mint leaves. Serve with tzatziki.

CRISPY FRIED FALAFEL

Steps:

• In a bowl add broad beans and chick peas then pour water into the bowl to cover the beans. Cover the bowl with cling wrap and all them to soak overnight.
• Drain the broad beans and chick peas then remove and discard shells.
• Place beans in a large food processor, add parsley, mint, coriander, onion, garlic, dried coriander, cumin, turmeric, cayenne and salt. Process until it's all chopped up and mixed.
• Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add bicarbonate of soda. Knead the combine thoroughly, cover with cling wrap and leave to rest in fridge for about one hour.
• After one hour make patties. To do this mould the mixture into walnut size ball and then flatten it slightly, place it on a tray. Repeat step until mixture is complete.
• Heat the vegetables oil in a heavy-based frying pan. Once heated gently lower the patties into the hot oil in batches, (patties will be delicate and may not hold its shape). Deep fry for about five to six minutes, once cooked place them on clean paper towels to drain oil. Repeat step until all patties have been cooked.
• Serve the falafel either hot or cold and enjoy.

PAN-FRIED FALAFEL BITES

Steps:

• Place garbanzo beans, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs, onion, egg, parsley, curry powder, garlic powder, lemon juice, and pepper into a food processor or blender. Puree until coarse, adding bread crumbs if needed as you don't want mixture too moist.
• Take 1 tablespoon of mixture, roll into a ball, and coat with panko bread crumbs. Place on a plate. Repeat with remaining mixture.
• Heat remaining olive oil (about 1 inch) in a deep skillet over medium heat. Pan-fry bites until crispy golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side, working in batches if necessary. Remove and drain on paper towels.